What If I Fall Through The Ice?

Every year we get winter, snow and ice everywhere. We as humans continue our pursuit of fishing in the form of Ice Fishing. Unfortunately every year we hear about someone falling through the ice and dying. What if the worst case thing happens to you, and you fall through the ice? How long do you have to respond to survive the experience? Depending on the temperature you have about 10 minutes at maximum. Why? Because within that time frame you will lose the use of your arms, hands, fingers and legs. Within an hour you could be unconscious and or dead from hypothermia! So what can you do? Be prepared when going ice fishing for walleye or any other fish, here are some tips that could save your life.

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing Information

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Ice fishing for walleye or any other freshwater fish, is very popular you do not need many supplies, and the supplies that you need are affordable. There are many choices of equipment available, prices for the equipment range from the very cheap to the very expensive. Get equipment that is of reasonable to good quality, something that will last you more than one fishing season. Avoid the very cheap equipment they will not last long, you will need to replace them often. The Practical Sportman bet is to purchase slightly higher priced equipment so that you are guaranteed of a couple fishing seasons at least. One rule that is different for ice fishing is that you can have 2 active lines in the water but you must be within 30 feet of both.  You can aggressively fish with one rod and passively fish or dead set with the second.

 

Practical Ice Fishing Suggested Basic Equipment:

Fishing rods: all fishing equipment lists should start with a good quality fishing rod, including ice fishing rods. A good ice fishing rod is short and very strong to make sure that it can take the strain and weight of the fish. You can get rod/reel combos, teho 2 and 3 ice rods, or grandpa’s favourite a piece of wood 1 foot long notched on both ends.

 

Tip ups: second rod on holder, windlass type, a reel that is attached to a board and is placed above the hole in the ice. There is also a flag or a small marker which is connected to the rod or the spring. This means that when you catch a fish, the marker will move to alert you to a strike.

 

Line: on your aggressive rod you want to use lighter line 6 – 12 lbs on the dead rods, a braided line 14 – 25 lbs is best. Use the new ice lines they are very suitable for withstanding the cold and icy conditions during an ice fishing trip.

 

Lures: any of your summer lures will work except front tied crank baits. Remember you will be fishing vertical (straight down) not casting or trolling. Jigs work best, plain or rigged with bait or plastic. Make sure you have pliers as when the fish are biting they are aggressive and will in-hale your lures. Use fluorocarbon or steel leaders to tie your lures on.

 

Bait: for ice fishing you can use almost any type of colorful and shiny minnows, plastic worms, and ice jigs. In Saskatchewan, we can not use live minnows, but commercially frozen minnows, herring and smelt are allowed and should be used, especially on the dead rods.  Rule of thumb, Fish will eat bigger and more frequently in winter, USE BIG BAITS.  Live bait such as maggots, meal worms, and if available leaches will work wonders in winter.  

Ice auger: An ice auger can save you a lot of time. Pick one that is gas operated, and you will find that you can save money and time. When ice fishing you will drill dozens of holes and move and catch more fish if doing so then only drilling one or two holes and sitting in the same spot all day. A hand crank, manual auger or axe will limit your movement and fishing areas.  I use an 8 inch auger and every fish except one has been able to come out of that size hole. The one that did not, it would not have mattered if it was a 10 inch hole either.

 

Skimmer: a skimmer is a slotted paddle or a slotted spoon shape piece with a 2 foot handle. Its function is to remove the ice crystals from the fishing hole.

 

Shelter: now that you’re going to fish, you need some sort of shelter to break the wind. A simple tarp to sit or lay under, a single seat hut, a fold down hut or permanent ice shack are available for your use, a good shelter can be pulled onto the lake or be set up once you get there. Inside these you can use a portable propane heater to a wood burning stove for warmth.

 

First aid kit: Now that you’ll be out in the cold, you’ll get cold fingers which are prone to cuts. Hooks and line will catch or cut you be prepared for what is to come.

Other: chairs, ice cleats, fish finder, GPS, blankets, heaters, sunglasses, lip balm, camp stove, fry pan, fillet knife, axe and wood are all needed to enjoy a memorable day on the ice.

Finally, have all important documents together with your ice fishing equipment. This includes your identification and your current fishing licence. The above is only a starter list as you continue to go ice fishing for walleye or other fish, you will add items that will make your day even more enjoyable. Oh, one more thing, bring a camera, you will need it and be glad you did. 

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing Information

Learn How To Fish

Fish and Game Recipes

You went fishing, hopefully with a buddy or you took a kid fishing and caught some walleye, now you are wondering how to fillet walleye or how do I clean this fish? If you follow the steps below you will not only learn how to fillet a walleye, but you will also learn how to take all the bones out of walleye. So if you are ready, get your fish, knife and let’s go.

 

Fishing, the single most enjoyed outdoor sport that has enthusiasts from every age and gender.  Most people enjoy open water fishing, but once the water freezes there is a whole new season of fishing and experiences.  The most sought after is ice fishing for walleye followed closely by pike. There is some magical reason to stare down a hole all day, must be from looking at an aquarium you get to see the fish in it’s habitat without getting wet. Unfortunately, ice fishing takes place in winter conditions and the farther North you go the colder and more severe the conditions can get and become. Like all winter outdoor activities the more time spent outside the greater your chance of injury unless you take safety and precautionary steps. What is the most deadly but fastest way to die?  HYPOTHERMIA!

When out ice fishing for walleye or any other freshwater fish in winter, be prepared for hypothermia by being aware of the weather, time on ice, time passes quickly, check on children often, get out of the elements. Sit in the warm ice hut for a while or in a warm vehicle. A gas powered ice auger will save time and physical work with drilling holes.  If you use manual drill, be carefull not to work up a real sweat, then sit out on the ice.  If your vehicle breaks down stay with it do not try to walk for help. If you get stuck and spend time shoveling warm up and be careful of over sweating and heart attacks. Keep an eye on fishing buddies, someone may not be as prepared as you are or un aware of their condition. Follow these few simple practical rules and your ice fishing in Saskatchewan trip will only be one of many

 

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing

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Fish and Game Recipes

It is that time of year again, Hunting is finished and winter has set in. To us outdoor loving people it is the beginning of our second fishing season, Ice Fishing.  No we are not going out looking for pieces of ice, but looking for pieces of ice we can cut, chop or drill a hole through to try and catch a fish. There is something special about looking down a hole and watching a fish come in and take your lure especially when ice fishing for walleye. Most of the time it is just that, you are fishing a lot shallower water,  anywhere from a few inches to 40 feet but most in 4 – 12 feet. In winter water is very clear, no algae blooms, no stained water, no wind stirring up mud, so you can see bottom in most lakes up to about 20 feet. Most accidents, drowning and mishaps happen early in the season so let’s look at some of the Safety Issues of Ice fishing.

Remember you will be traveling in winter conditions make sure your vehicle is maintained properly. You do not want a dead battery or vehicle that will not start after a day of fishing. Carry a good safety kit with food, water, blankets, axe, matches, shovel, booster cables and a charged cell phone. Travel roads carefully, follow ice roads. Rule of thumb: if someone else drove there the ice should be thick enough for you as well.  It is hard to drive on snow, but beware of deep snow your vehicle will break through and leave you high centered. A day of shovelling is not worth “Let’s try over there, looks like a good place to fish.”

Whoever is driving, make sure to give a spare set of keys to one of your buddies. Trying to find a set of keys in a foot of snow with no idea of where to start looking could mean a cold night on the lake or some serious explaining and natural jokes by the buddy who has to come rescue you. Oh and the wife is the last person to call, cause you know for the next 3 years you will be reminded about the event. Make sure and start your vehicle and let it warm up at least once while out fishing. You may be nice and warm in the hut with a fire but your vehicle is not plugged in, after 8 to 10 hours of sitting it may not start.

Safe Ice thickness is the most important thing to consider, if it has snowed a lot while the ice was forming the ice will be weaker than if it formed when it was not snowing. You will have to walk out on the ice to check it so before doing so you should for sure have all your safety gear on; a life jacket, safety spikes, and someone on land holding a rope tied to you for starters. You can only tell ice thickness by chopping a small hole to check.
Here is a quick ice guideline to follow:

Less than 4" stay off the ice.
4-6" can be safe for walking on if it is clear, clean ice.
6-10" of good ice can support a snowmobile or ATV.
10-16" can support a small car.
16"+ is needed for a larger car or truck.

At the beginning of the season, remember do not park vehicles side by side but leave 15 feet between them. Once optimal ice thickness is reached, you only need be aware of ice condition on new unknown lakes, springs, water inlets (river, creek) and areas of open water (steam or aeration equipment).

Creature comfort: hey that means you are the creature that needs to be comfortable. Winter rules apply, wear several layers of clothing. It is easier to take off then to wish you were warmer or had that sweater you left at home. Invest in a good pair of winter boots. Your feet will dictate how long you are going to fish. Have or wear a good set of bib pants or snow suit and good heavy jacket.  Make sure you have at least 2 pairs of gloves because the first pair is going to get wet.  Wear a good wool toque with good ear coverage.  Be careful if you have an open fire, do not get to close sparks will burn holes in your clothes. Follow all fire safety rules and do not use gas to start a fire. If fishing in an ice hut be aware of stoves or heaters and all your extra clothing, do not touch, browse or accidently touch with your clothes.

When ice fishing for walleye or pike be careful around holes you cut or drill, especially larger holes in huts. Watch children around these as well, it is easy to slip on the water and ice and fall in. Hypothermia and drowning can happen very fast. Be safe watch the small things, be aware of conditions and you will enjoy ice fishing as much as I do.  A feast of fresh fish at this time of year can not be beaten. Not even right out of the water, straight to shore for a shore lunch in summer does not compare to the taste of winter fish.

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing

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Fish and Game Recipes

How to Fillet Northern Pike Step by Step

 

The fastest, most versatile and probably the most used method for cleaning is Filleting Northern Pike.  The first time you fillet a northern pike, your fillets are not going to be perfect or very pretty.  As with everything, practice makes better.  When finished, the fillets can be used for frying, baking, bbqing, canning or any other way, for consuming the results of your successful fishing trip.   YES, when I did my first fish, Grandpa laughed until his sides hurt, it was not pretty, but I got it done, in pieces.  However, after that first one the second was better and by the time I was done the days catch, well let’s just say, Grandpa didn’t fillet any fish again when I was with him!

 

 

 

Step 1: Lay fish on cutting board, I start with fish belly facing towards me. I find this side is harder to do if I start and take off other fillet first.  The second set of fins seem to get in the way and make more work.

 

 

Step 2: With knife lift fin and place blade up against back of gill plate, but on fish body. Make sure your knife is at same angle as gill plate cover.

 

 

Step 3: Cut straight down until you hit back bone. CAREFULL do NOT cut through back bone. When you get to, and knife is stopped by the back bone, turn your knife towards the tail. Hold the knife at about 45 degree angle and cut and follow the back bone to about 1 inch from the tail. STOP at about 1 inch and go slow the next step.

    

 

 

Step 4: Careful try not to cut through skin, thus separating fillet from fish. Cut until you are about ¾ – ½ of an inch from tail.

 

 

Step 5: Now flip the fillet and turn the tail of the fish so that fillet is laying completely flat on board. Note meat should be up and skin down.

  

 

 

Step 6: Place your knife on meat about ¼ inch from tail. Cut down to skin, BUT NOT THROUGH skin. But do not worry if you do see step 7b on how to do these.

   

 

 

Step 7a: When at skin turn your knife to face end of fish and slowly pull back on fish and move knife back and forth to start to separate meat from skin. Once it starts hold knife still and being careful not to lift skin to high away from table slowly pull fish away from the knife in a side to side motion. This will separate meat from skin.

 

 Step 7b: OOPS, you cut too far, the fillet is not attached to the fish. Knife was sharper than you thought is a great excuse if anyone was watching. No problem, you are filleting on a cutting board aren’t you, if not get one, spouse won’t like this next step if you do not use one.  Get a second knife with a sharp point. Simply stick tip into end of fillet and push hard against board to hold in place, now using fillet knife about ¼ inch from other cut down through meat to skin, but not through, turn knife towards end and slowly, move knife back and forth and follow skin far enough so you can grab skin.  Now hold onto skin, hold fillet knife still and slowly wiggle skin back and forth removing skin from meat.

 

 

 

Step 8: Alright you now have your first fillet done. Note you will see the white belly lining and rib bones attached, that is OK, just set fillet to the side out of the way, for the time being and now repeat steps 1 – 7 for the other side of the fish.  When done both sides discard the fish remains and continue filleting all your fish.

 

 

Step 9: Why do people not like to eat Northern Pike?  Bones and lots of them.  For a great feast, you want to ensure boneless northern pike fillets so no one has to pick out bones.  You have filleted all the fish, now you need to remove the bones. You can remove all the bones from Northern Pike. Removing all bones takes a little practice and time.  Follow steps 9a and 9b or bonus step for removing bones.  

 

 

 

Get a fillet to work on. Look at your fillet you will see the white belly with bones in them. See step 9a to remove these, and if you look close, you will see a line of white dots just above these, these are the Y bones. See step 9b to remove these. Run your finger over these. You feel and see, they are bones and all can be removed. Did you notice none of the bones go all the way to the tip of the tail but seem to end about 4 inches from the end.

 

 

 

Step 9a: Remove the white belly and all the rib bones. Take a good sharp filleting knife and with the tip cut along top of ribs tight up against the bone, slowly cut along and down these ribs, separating  meat from the ribs. Now do the same thing with the Y bones.

 

 

Step 9b: Take the tip of your knife and cut at an angle on one side of the Y until you reach and feel the bone, cut and follow these to the bottom of the fillet. Repeat for other side of Y bones. Now simply pull the piece away from the rest of the fish all the bones are in this scrap piece. Notice you did not go all the way to end of tail but came to end of the bones. See bonus step for this fast remove of bones.

 

Congratulations, you now know how to fillet pike, YOU have finished YOUR first Filleting A Northern Pike, and removed all the bones. SEE BONUS STEP for faster deboning of pike.

 

BONUS STEP:

Depending on the number of fish you caught, the number of people who are going to enjoy them, and what you plan on doing with them, then here is a faster step and what I do with Northern Pike. I enjoy a fresh meal of boneless fish and use the rest for canning.  YES, Northern Pike, are very good for canning and the finished product looks and tastes like canned Tuna.

 

 

 

A: When you have your fillets, I remove the rib bones as in step 9a. Then instead of step 9b, I simply cut the tail portion off where the Y bones end. Very fast way of de boning Pike..EH!

 

B: Put the extra fillet piece in double zip lock freezer bag and freeze. Note do not leave in freezer overly long before canning, fish freezer burns very quickly.

  

If, while fishing you caught 6 Northern Pike about 4 pounds each live weight, or you have frozen enough to make this amount, then you have enough to make 7 jars of canned fish.

 

SEE Northern Pike: A Practical Canned Fish Recipe.

 

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing

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Fish and Game Recipes

Walleye Size Chart

This chart will help you quickly find the approximate age and weight of your walleye based on the length of the fish. Male walleye mature at about 3 years of age. Reach about 24 – 30 inches and live approx about 20 years.  Females mature at about 5 years. Have been caught exceeding 36 inches in length.  They can weigh in the 20 pound range and live longer than males.  Weights are only approximate as the farther north these fish are the slower the growth rate. Also at different times of the year and available food sources the weight can change.

 

 

WALLEY SIZE CHART
	AVGERAGE LENGTH		AVERAGE
AGE	Inches	cm	WEIGHT
1	5	14	0.2
2	8	20	0.4
3	10	26	0.6
4	12.3	31	0.9
5	14.2	36	1
6	15.5	39	1.3
7	16.3	41	1.6
8	17	43	1.8
9	18.7	47	2.3
10	19.1	49	2.6
11	19.8	50	2.9
12	20.4	53	3.1
13	21	54	3.4
14	21.5	55	3.7
15	23	58	4.5
16	24.2	62	5.2
17	25	64	5.7
18	25.6	65	6.2
19	26	66	6.4
20	26.2	66.5	6.6
21	26.5	67	6.8
22	27	69	7.2
23	27.8	71	8.2
24	28.5	72	9
25	29	74	9.5
26	29.5	76	10
27	30	76	10.5
28	30.5	77	11
29	31	78	11.5
30	31.5	79	12
30+	32+	80+	13+

 

 

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing

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NORTHERN PIKE SIZE CHART

Slough Shark, Hammer Handle, Pike, Water Devil, whatever name you call it by, it is the #1 fresh water trophy fish.  Just the name brings up images of monsters, now imagine catching these on a regular basis.  Both males and females mature at about 5 years of age. Males average 36 inches  and live up to 25 years.  Females live much longer and have been caught over 55 inches and exceeding 50 pounds.

 

 

NORTHERN PIKE SIZE CHART
	AVERAGE LENGTH		AVERAGE
AGE	Inches	cm	WEIGHT
1	10	25	0.2
2	13	28	0.5
3	19	48	1.4
4	22	54	1.9
5	24	61	2.3
6	26	66	2.7
7	27	68	3.1
8	28	71	3.4
9	29.5	75	3.7
10	31	78	4
11	32	80	5.2
12	32.5	82	6.3
13	33	84	7.6
14	34	87	10
15	35	88	10.5
16	36	90	11
17	37	93	12.5
18	38	98	15
19	39	99	18
20	40	101	21
21	41.5	105	23
22	43	109	25
23	44.5	113	28
24	46	117	31
25	46.7	118	32.5
26	47	119	34
27	47.5	120	35.5
28	48	122	37
29	48.5	123	38.5
30	49	124	40
30+	49.5+	124+	40+

 

 

Author: Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,

Hunting and Fishing

Learn How To Fish

Fish and Game Recipes